rolling enging on cold start

[fourbyfourman]

I have a BX 2350 with 381 hours on it. When it is started "cold" the engine "rolls". I seem to have to give it quite a bit of throttle to keep running. After about a minute or so it settles down and runs fine. I can stop and start the engine once warm at any time and it runs fine. Every spring I service it. Change oil both fuel filters, air filter etc. Any ideas appreciated. This has only been happening recently. Thanks.

 

[sandyc]

I use power service in my fuel all year. That plus a block heater help mine to start up in the coldest weather.

 

[nybirdman]

Summer fuel and cold weather?As stated PowerService your fuel year round.Don't stock up on a lot fuel in the summer if you are planning to use it in the winter.Up North the change the fuel mix maybe late October.I rarely use my block heater unless it's below 20F.

 

[dodge man]

What do you mean when you say it "rolls". Black smoke? If its cold out, say below 40 degrees and even worse below zero, it runs pretty rough for a minute. There seems to be a sweet spot in the throttle setting for warming them up, say maybe 1800 rpms.

 

[fourbyfourman]

By "rolling" I mean as soon as it starts when the engine is cold it revs then seems like it may quit. This repeats. I give it more throttle to keep it running. However it does not stall. It goes that way for about 30 seconds to a minute, then smooths out. Everything else is o.k. Runs great otherwise. It's been doing this since mid-summer. I use Power Service year round. Thanks

 

[KyleH]

As others have stated, try using a fuel additive or put some winter fuel in to see if there's any difference. Also try cycling the glow plugs a couple times before starting, if they aren't working properly it will cause a rough start when cold.

 

[kevinj]

Fix the glow plugs....

 

[fourbyfourman]

Thanks all for the suggestions.

 

[Ford850]

Surging or hunting, is that what you mean by rolling? The engine revs up and down on it's own?
I have that same (or similar) engine in a couple Grasshopper mowers. The Kubota manual says to adjust the throttle to over half before starting. I usually just bump mine to 1/4 unless it's really cold then I go more. I do the same with my DX55. I can remember sometimes if it's cold and I start it without bumping the throttle above idle, it surges for a bit.